§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with Warrington and Runcorn development corporation as to the level of manning of manual employees.
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§ Sir George YoungIn our regular meetings with the chairman of the development corporation we discuss the general level of manning in the light of the Government's policy to reduce the size of the public sector.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what surveys he has undertaken into the cost effectiveness of employing private contractors to undertake gardening and other manual work in Warrington and Runcorn development corporation.
§ Sir George YoungNone: this is a matter for the development corporation.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many manual workers are employed by Warrington and Runcorn development corporation; and what steps are being taken to reduce this number.
§ Sir George YoungAt 1 January 1983, 248 manual workers were employed by the corporation. I understand that it has recently instituted a voluntary redundancy scheme which is likely to reduce this number.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has issued instructions to the Warrington and Runcorn development corporation to privatise its gardening and other services.
§ Sir George YoungNo, but we have asked all development corporations to consider such steps.